The latest news and events from around the globe

HAMMOND: GAZA CARNAGE 'INTOLERABLE'

The effects of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on its civilian population have become "intolerable", the Foreign Secretary has said.

Philip Hammond said he had received thousands of emails from the British public expressing horror at the scenes in the Palestinian territory since Israel began an offensive on July 8.

It comes as a row broke out between Ed Miliband and Downing Street after the Labour leader accused the Prime Minister of getting it "wrong" on Gaza.

NAVY 'SET FOR LIBYA EVACUATION'

The Royal Navy is reported to be preparing to evacuate Britons from Libya amid escalating violence in the north African state.

Sky News reported that the survey ship HMS Enterprise is heading for the port of Tripoli and is expected to moor offshore today.

A launch protected by armed Royal Marines is expected to be sent into the port to pick up British citizens and carry them to safety on board the Plymouth-based Enterprise, which is thought to have been diverted from duties in the Mediterranean to help the rescue effort.

LEAVING EU 'VIABLE' FOR LONDON

A report commissioned by London mayor Boris Johnson has concluded that British exit from the European Union is "definitely a viable option" for the capital, and better than staying in an unreformed EU.

Mr Johnson is expected to throw his weight behind the report by banker Gerard Lyons in a speech to launch the document on Wednesday, the Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph reported.

The Sunday Times quoted a source close to the mayor as saying he believes David Cameron must be "bold" in his demands in the renegotiation of the UK's EU membership he has promised if Conservatives win next year's general election and that the best way of achieving this is by showing he has "no fear" of departure if the talks fail to deliver.

REEVES FLOATS MIGRANT BENEFITS PLAN

A Labour government could withhold out-of-work benefits from European Union (EU) migrants until they have paid into the system through National Insurance, shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves has said.

Ms Reeves' comments come a day after shadow chancellor Ed Balls indicated a shift towards a harder line on immigration, saying that he backs "fair movement, not free movement" for EU citizens coming to the UK.

Their interventions - part of a summer offensive ordered by Ed Miliband to draw clear lines with the Conservatives in the run-up to next year's general election - will be seen as an effort to win support back from the UK Independence Party, which has been picking up on concerns about immigration to eat into Labour's traditional working-class vote.

FORMER RADIO 1 DJ MIKE SMITH DIES

Friends and former colleagues of BBC Radio 1 presenter Mike Smith have described their "heartbreak" after the 59-year-old died in hospital.

Breakfast Show alumni including Noel Edmonds, Mike Read and Simon Mayo joined others from the world of entertainment in mourning Smith's death.

Smith, who was married to fellow television personality Sarah Greene, died in hospital on Friday from complications connected to his recent major heart surgery.

TRUST TO LAUNCH NATIONAL SPERM BANK

A national sperm bank is to be launched to meet increasing demand.

The National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT), in partnership with Birmingham Women's Hospital, has been awarded £77,000 by the Department of Health (DoH) to provide the service, which will launch in October.

In a DoH document outlining funding allocation for 2014-15, under the heading Project Aims, it says it will benefit patients "both NHS and privately, of all ethnicities across the UK, including same-sex couples and single women".

ATHLETES' LAST BID FOR GAMES GLORY

Athletes will have a final chance at Commonwealth glory today during the final day of the Games before the closing ceremony brings Glasgow 2014 to an end.

Medals are still up for grabs in badminton, hockey, netball, squash and road cycling, with the chance of more success for the home nations.

The athletics competitions were brought to a thrilling close last night with Usain Bolt entertaining the crowds at a rain-soaked Hampden Park.

SHAM MARRIAGES CLAMPDOWN PLEDGED

Nick Clegg is to promise a clampdown on sham marriages to tackle an "industry" which he said was resulting in a reported 2,000 fake weddings a year to get round immigration rules.

The Deputy Prime Minister will say that the Government is also to spend more than £1 million on tougher inspections to target exploitative employers using migrants as cheap labour on less than the minimum wage, with a particular focus on care homes, recruitment agencies and hotels.

Provisions in the coalition Government's Immigration Act, passed earlier this year, extend the notice period for weddings and civil partnerships from 15 to 28 days in order to allow more time for investigation to check that they are genuine.

EXTRA BAGGAGE STAFF AT GATWICK

Extra staff are expected to help soothe congestion at Gatwick Airport's baggage reclaim hall after bosses moved to avoid a repeat of last weekend's disruption.

Contingency plans were put in place at the West Sussex airport to ensure the risks of significant delays were minimised.

Last weekend, some travellers at the arrivals gate were sent home without their luggage due to lengthy delays.

GREAT-NIECE TO JOIN WWI CEREMONY

The great-niece of a First World War soldier will join dignitaries including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a special ceremony to mark 100 years since Britain joined the conflict.

Helen Jones will be the first member of her family to visit the grave of her great-uncle Private George Bellamy as she attends a special evening ceremony at St Symphorien military cemetery near Mons, Belgium, tomorrow.

Mrs Jones and her husband will be among a guest list that includes William and Kate, as well as Prince Harry, at the cemetery.

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